Atheists often cringe at the use of the words “spiritual” and “soul.” They evoke images of a physical spirit linked to a “higher power.” I am an atheist and for lack of a better word, quite spiritual.
I don’t believe in the Christian or mystical notion of having a soul that lives on after we die, receiving punishment or reward or floating mysteriously through space and time. But I do know the feelings that people are trying to describe when they talk about their soul. It’s the very thing that makes you feel alive, feels wondrous, full of light and energy. It brings a sense of belonging, of love and a deep seated feeling of safety.
There is a reason that religion has spread like a murky cloud over the ages. In religion and spirituality I think people are all trying to get at the same thing, trying to achieve and understand the same feeling. This is what had me flirting with the idea of pantheism years ago, because all religions are trying to make the same point… so are they all right? Well, no they are all wrong.
The flaws are easy to find and I don’t think any of them work. Religion and mysticism provide easy answers (as well as bigotry and violence.) It is much more interesting to dig into these innate feelings and needs using logic and reasoning, to find the hidden longing behind belief in gods.
With mystics it is all about language, talking with mystically inclined people is like trying to solve riddles. In my experience they often talk indirectly around the point, using colorful language and metaphors for a simple and sometimes truthful statement. If you listen, it is quite easy to break through the babble. Oh, by psychic you mean empathic… By past lives, you mean the weight of emotions and behavior passed down generation to generation…by answers to prayers to you mean solutions from your unconscious.
When I was a young my parents took me to church. Once in awhile during a sermon I would feel alive, healed. I felt a life force inside of myself that seemed greater than anything. This feeling is what makes religion very real and what keeps believers faithful. What I felt was a deep feeling inside of strength and power. Like everything was going to be alright, that I had everything I would ever need just inside of me.
This feeling is still inside of me and it is stronger than ever, I can access this pleasant and affirming feeling whenever I want. Why? Because it is mine. It is my own strength and my own courage. It is that deep source of love inside that so many people call “God.” It is the capacity of love for yourself and love for others. This is based on your relationship with yourself, not with God. Perhaps it is easier for people to call this strength or inner love “God”, because they feel it is not their place to claim their own strength and greatness.
It is liberating to realize that this feeling is mine, that I am powerful, courageous, full of light. It is also empowering to not project this feeling onto nature, the universe or a “higher power.” To own it, able to go inside and re-fuel, garnering my own inner strength and energy. To me the soul is that place inside that is whole. It is not a connection to nature or a god but a connection to yourself, your “true self.” The person you were at birth, before being broken by the abuse and defenses of everyone around you.
It allows an enlarged view of yourself, whatever guilt or unhappiness was on your mind drifts away in this view that includes all parts of you. Where I think religious people fail is that they don’t take the reins in their own lives. God is in the driver’s seat and they just sit back, sure of a pre-determined plan. Atheists who aren’t spiritual I think could be missing out as well if they are not connecting to this part of themselves and consulting it. Jesus or the stars can’t heal you, only you can heal you.
As both atheism and nihilism become the norm, I think it becomes clear that what is additionally needed is a set idea of ethics. However, just because god doesn’t exist doesn’t mean the psychological basis for god doesn’t exist as well. Skepticism isn’t enough when it comes to god, you also need to address the hidden longing behind the psychological need to invent a god in the first place. God is a personal journey. The strength and wisdom in all of us is enough
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Amazing post.
It’s always encouraging to discover that a friend came to the same conclusions after similar thoughts and struggles.
I’m an atheist and I’ve never been afraid of words like “spirituality” and “higher power.” Like you, I realized that what most people get out of religion, I can get on my own, I don’t need religion to have faith in myself, to feel like I have a purpose, etc.. So while I think it’s good that people who need that extra boost have something to turn to, I actually feel like I’m a stronger person because I don’t need religion.
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Thank you for the beautiful and insightful post.
Another incredible article. You are one of the voices of the future we dream of, Rabbit!
What an awesome post. I tend to agree with you on a lot of what you’ve said. I feel so much more powerful all of a sudden. It’s cheered up my grumpy evening immensely, in fact. Thank you.
Also, I _love_ the picture you’ve used. Is it you?
Ive been strugglng trying to figure out what it is that i believe in… your article helped me so much because it made it ok to be who I am and I think the only struggle I had was growing up in a christian home and that life being incongruous with who I am. Thanks Liv
You aught to read (or listen to) Sam Harris. He’s really in to finding more about spirituality, separate from religion (to the annoyance of his contemporaries).
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[...] Finding Spirituality in Atheism “But I do know the feelings that people are trying to describe when they talk about their soul. It’s the very thing that makes you feel alive, that feels wondrous, full of light and energy. In religion and spirituality I think people are all trying to get at the same thing, they are trying to achieve and understand the same feeling.” [...]